Jockey club officials have confirmed the result of the Newmarket race which lost a Tyneside punter a £1m payout.

Jack Lee, 75, was about to celebrate his millionaire status on Saturday when race stewards disqualified horse Babodana, the sixth winner in his accumulator bet, for "careless riding".

Stewards ruled the horse had clashed with rival Sleeping Indian.

Tote rules say even if the appeal was successful Mr Lee would be unable to claim his winnings.

Mr Lee, of Walker, Newcastle, said the whole thing has been unbelievable. He said: "When I watched the race I couldn't see anything wrong. I'm just very disappointed for the trainer.

"I know the decision wouldn't have helped me but I was surprised the jockey was banned."

A spokesman for the Jockey Club said: "Having considered the evidence, the panel found Babodana had interfered with Sleeping Indian inside the last half furlong, which allowed the colt to drift away from his whip taking Sleeping Indian off his intended line."